Parx-based sophomore Monday Morning Qb (Imagining) is under consideration for Aqueduct's nine-furlong GIII Withers S. Feb. 1, which carries with it GI Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Second behind Saturday's impressive Gulfstream allowance winner Ny Traffic (Cross Traffic) in a Bensalem maiden special weight Oct. 12, the Butch Reid trainee earned an 85 Beyer Speed Figure when graduating back at that venue Nov. 16. He handled his first foray into stakes company with aplomb, taking Laurel's Heft S. over seven panels.
“He was kind of tired, it was a big step up for him [in the Heft],” said Reid, who won the 2010 Withers with Afleet Again (Afleet Alex). “But after a few days he was back to his old self. He's been training lights out.”
Monday Morning Qb demonstrated some immaturity and struggled with his leads in the Heft.
“He got confused and didn't switch leads on the turn,” Reid said. “As he matures, he'll get better and more professional and that's what we've been focusing on in the mornings with him.”
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